Armando Payas

Dr. Armando Payas, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, July 11, 2023, at his Orlando residence.

Born on February 16, 1928, in Santiago de Cuba to Armando Payas and Caridad Tabio Payas, Dr. Payas overcame humble beginnings to pursue his education. He Graduated from Havana School of Law and in 1953 embarked on a career as a criminal defense lawyer in Santiago.

In 1956, Dr. Payas married the love of his life, Alba Batista Hernandez. While in Cuba, they welcomed two of their sons Armando in 1958 and Luis in 1959. In 1964, the birth of their third son Carlos completed the family as they settled in the United States of America.

Dr. Payas was also driven by his love for his country Cuba, but when Fidel Castro proclaimed Cuba would become a communist regime, he fearlessly fought for the freedom of his beloved country, risking his life, freedom, career, and young family. He became a key figure in the Cuban counter-revolution by fighting against the oppressive regime that imprisoned and killed many of his friends and colleagues.

In 1962, as Castro's secret police closed in to arrest him, Dr. Payas successfully escaped from Cuba by disguising himself as a pastry delivery boy and maneuvering past armed guards into the Ecuadorian embassy. After six weeks, he was able to fly to South America and then to the United States. Upon arriving in Miami, Florida, he only possessed two boxes of Cuban cigars, which he quickly sold for a few dollars. At the time, he only knew two words in English, "thank you."

Months after his arrival into the United States, his wife Alba and their children joined him in Miami. Through a friend, Dr. Payas secured a job as the administrator of the foreign language lab at the newly established University of South Florida. He furthered his education, earning a master's degree and a Ph.D. from Florida State University by 1970.

Upon graduation, Dr. Payas accepted a teaching position at the University of Central Florida (formerly Florida Technological University) in Orlando. He became the first Hispanic professor at the University and later the first Hispanic professor to chair the Department of Foreign Languages.

Throughout his academic career, Dr. Payas gained recognition for his contributions to the study of Miguel de Cervantes' literary work; notably the renowned masterpiece Don Quijote de La Mancha. He became a highly respected authority in the field.

In 1973, the US Supreme Court gave Cuban-American attorneys the opportunity to study under an accelerated law school program. Dr. Payas attended the law school at the University of Florida during weekends, waking up at 4 o'clock in the morning with goal to graduate, sit for the Florida Bar exams, pass the exams and be admitted to the Florida Bar. Dr. Payas became one of five Hispanic attorneys practicing law in Orlando, Florida.

Initially working with attorney Rafael de Armas, Dr. Payas and his sons established the law firm of Payas, Payas & Payas. While actively practicing law, he continued teaching at UCF. He retired from the University in 1990 and practiced law until the age of 92.

Beyond his professional life, Dr. Payas had diverse hobbies and passions. He enjoyed playing golf and remained an avid runner well into his mid-eighties, participating in races like The Turkey Trot.

Dr. Payas was an esteemed leader in the Hispanic community, serving as a member of the Mayor's Hispanic Advisory Board and later as the Chairman of the Orange County Sheriff's Advisory Board.

Despite numerous trials and challenges throughout his life, Dr. Armando Payas always demonstrated exceptional resilience. His life was marked by joy, and he was deeply loved by his family, friends, and community. Throughout his journey, he held immense gratitude and love for his adopted country.

Dr. Payas is survived by his devoted wife, Alba Payas, and three sons, Armando, Luis, and Carlos. He is also fondly remembered by his two daughters-in-law, Debbie, and Christine, whom he considered as his own daughters. Forever remembered by his four grandchildren, Stephanie, Phillip, Sofia, and Armando Junior.